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To support widespread EV adoption, charging points must be available wherever drivers park – without adding unnecessary clutter to our streets.
Kerbside charging is an obvious solution, but space and power constraints often present challenges and safety risks. That’s where lamp post charging comes in: a cost-effective, space-saving way for local authorities to repurpose existing infrastructure.
With installation times as short as an hour and no need to dig up streets, lamp post charging offers an efficient step toward creating EV-friendly cities.
For local authorities, this solution is particularly beneficial in areas where residents park on the street, outside or near their homes. But how can you determine if your lamp posts are up to the task?
Let’s explore what’s needed to evaluate their suitability for EV charging.
It’s a common question…
Repurposing lamp posts for EV charging offers significant potential, but power capacity limitations can be a challenge. While charging hardware can often deliver up to 7kW, many lamp posts are restricted to 5kW or lower due to existing infrastructure constraints. However, with the right solutions, these obstacles can be overcome – paving the way for a more connected and sustainable EV charging network. Challenges include:
Lamp posts must split power between lighting and EV chargers, both to manage power availability and to ensure proper operation of systems like billing communication. Each lamp post has a maximum load of 25A, but most are ‘fused down’ to 6A or 10A. Those converted to LED typically consume around 1A. EV chargers operate at 3.75kW or 4.2kW, drawing a maximum of 21.6A. Since the combined load of a charger (21.6A) and LED lighting (1A) approaches the 25A limit, some allowance is needed to prevent tripping when a charge starts.
Older lamp posts often lack the capacity to support higher power outputs without upgrades. However, many have excess power due to LED conversions.
EV battery sizes have increased dramatically in recent years, making slower chargers less practical. For example, charging 80% of a Tesla Model 3 at 5kW can take over 17 hours.
While 5kW speeds is ideal for overnight charging, it may not meet the expectations of modern EV drivers or short-term urban parking needs. Instead, it serves as a valuable “top-up” solution, forming an essential part of a city’s charging infrastructure mix.
In the UK, lighting columns operate on unmetered supplies, meaning energy is charged based on fixed usage hours rather than a meter reading. Adding an EV charger introduces variable usage. While all OCPP chargers record consumption for billing, legislation requires that both the hardware and back-office systems be UMSUG tested and certified.
To maximise the potential of lamp post charging, local authorities must assess the suitability of their infrastructure. Here’s what to consider:
Both remote and on-site surveys can determine suitability. While lamp post charging is the most cost effective and efficient solution for on street charging, alternative options are available when it’s not feasible.
Power Capacity and Load Balancing:
Connectivity:
Future Proofing:
At evpzee, we simplify the process of implementing lamp post charging. From assessment to installation, our tailored services ensure a seamless experience for local authorities.
We evaluate your lamp posts to confirm their suitability for EV charging. Remote surveys quickly assess potential sites at zero risk to councils.
Repurposing lamp posts for EV charging is a smart, space-saving solution for expanding on-street charging infrastructure. By evaluating power capacity, structural suitability, and future scalability, local authorities can make informed decisions to support the transition to EVs.
Our story
The idea for Acrospire was formed in 2012 when founder Tim envisioned a different kind of lighting manufacturer: one that would not only deliver outstanding customer experiences but also prioritise fair treatment for its employees.
We’ve come a long way
Motivated by the belief the industry wanted and needed better, Tim shared his plan to establish his own venture with Hatty, who simply couldn't let him do it alone.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Protecting local jobs and ensuring the best quality possible.
Working from a rented office by day and assembling lanterns in a garage at night, Tim and Hatty set to work.
11 Years later
Acrospire now inhabits a 14000² ft manufacturing facility in Basingstoke, Hampshire. We’re a proud partner of the Made in Britain scheme, ISO9001 certified and a member of all relevant lighting industry trade bodies.
Along with great relationships with our customers and a great team! We've attracted some of the most experienced members of the lighting industry, all by following one golden rule.
A simple ethos
That runs through all that we do. Customers who have made the switch to Acrospire have found working with us to be a breath of fresh air.
If you’re a professional in the lighting industry, you’re probably familiar with warranties that range from 3 to 10 years, with extensions available on special request or at additional cost. At Acrospire, where we’re proud to be different, we offer a market-leading simple 12-year warranty, as standard.
We focus on our customers not our competition. We manufacture our products in the UK: with the exception of our solar products, our supply chain is within a 60-mile radius of our factory in Basingstoke: to maintain greater control over quality. We al
Speed of response is crucial when it comes to resolving warranty issues. If we’ve made a mistake, we own it, get to the root cause, and fix it as quickly as possible. We believe in timely communication with our customers and making the resolution pro
Test and Test Again
We believe in independent testing and certification. Our new product development is in line with ISO 9001. Many of our products hold ENEC Certification. To meet the requirements of ENEC we also send random product samples for third party safety testi
Our product design is another key factor in our ability to offer a 12-year warranty. We value engineer rather than cost cut, never compromising on quality. We stick to our processes and engage with our supply chain to ensure that every product meets